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Bill > A4898


NJ A4898

NJ A4898
Prohibits leaving loaded firearm within easy access of minor under age of 18; requires law enforcement officers who observe unsecured firearms to conduct follow-up.


summary

Introduced
01/17/2019
In Committee
01/17/2019
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2020

Introduced Session

2018-2019 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under section 1 of P.L.1991, c.397 (C.2C:58-15), a firearm owner is prohibited from leaving a loaded firearm within easy access of a minor under the age of 16. This bill increases the age of a minor to under the age of 18. The bill also requires a law enforcement officer who observes that a firearm owner has not properly stored or secured his or her firearm to return to the firearm owner's premises to ensure that the firearms are properly secured. Under section 1 of P.L.1991, c.397 (C.2C:58-15), unless a firearm owner takes certain precautions, the owner is guilty of a disorderly persons offense if he or she knows, or reasonably should know, that a minor is likely to gain access to a loaded firearm at a premises under the owner's control and the minor gains access to the firearm. The precautions required under the law include storing the firearm in a securely locked box, secure location, or with a trigger lock. A disorderly person's offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

AI Summary

This bill increases the age of a minor from under 16 to under 18 years old for the purposes of prohibiting firearm owners from leaving loaded firearms within easy access of these minors. The bill also requires law enforcement officers who observe unsecured firearms to return to the firearm owner's premises and ensure the firearms are properly stored or secured, as required by law. The existing law imposes a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to 6 months in prison and/or a $1,000 fine, on firearm owners who fail to take certain precautions to prevent minors from gaining access to their loaded firearms.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/17/2019)

bill text


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